The chronicle of the realm turns to the unmatched majesty and splendor of King Khosrow Parviz, whose earthly grandeur surpassed all memory of high and low throughout the ages. From the distant domains of Turan, India, China, and Rome, rivers of tribute flowed into his shining court—heaps of pearls, rubies, dinars, and endless retinues of servants. So radiant was his soul that not only the nations of men, but even the soaring eagles, the lions of the wilderness, the leopards, and the leviathans of the deep submitted to his covenant. He assembled legendary hoards of treasure: the Treasure of the Bride (Ganj-e Arus); the Emerald-Green Treasure (Ganj-e Khazra); the Windfall Treasure (Ganj-e Bad-Avar), whose vast count baffled all accountants; the imperial woven tapestries of Khosrow; the recovered ancient hoard of Afrasiab; and the Burnt Treasure (Ganj-e Sukhteh), alongside the magnificent carpet Shadvard-e Bozorg, interwoven with pure red gold and shimmering gems. In his royal halls, the master minstrels Sarkash and Barbad entranced all ears with untainted melodies, while twelve thousand spring-like maidens, two thousand two hundred war elephants, sixteen thousand battle steeds, and twelve thousand pack camels filled his realm. Yet, despite such unmatched glory, this mighty monarch fell at the hands of a mere attendant. Thus stands the eternal lesson of the transient world: a passing inn where one soul enters as another departs, where crowns and thrones crumble into dust, and where nothing abides save the seeds of righteousness sown upon the earth.
#1
کنون از بزرگی خسرو سخن
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بگویم کنم تازه روز کهن
“Now I shall speak of the grandeur of Khosrow, renewing the days of ancient times.”
#2
بران سان بزرگی کس اندر جهان
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ندارد بیاد از کهان و مهان
“Such grandeur in the world no one remembers, neither among the humble nor the high.”
#3
هر آنکس که او دفتر شاه خواند
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ز گیتیش دامن بباید فشاند
“Whoever reads the chronicle of kings must cast off the hem of his robe from the mortal world.”
#4
سزد گر بگویم یکی داستان
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که باشد خردمند هم داستان
“It is fitting that I recite a tale with which the wise will fully agree.”
#5
مبادا که گستاخ باشی به دهر
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که از پای زهرش فزونست زهر
“Beware lest you become brazen toward time, for the poison of its fate exceeds all venom.”
#6
مساایچ با آز و با کینه دست
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ز منزل مکن جایگاه نشست
“Reach not your hand toward greed or hatred, and make not your dwelling place a permanent seat.”
#7
سرای سپنجست با راه و رو
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تو گردی کهن دیگر آرند نو
“This world is a transient inn with travelers passing through; as you grow old, others are brought forth anew.”
#8
یکی اندر آید دگر بگذرد
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زمانی به منزل چمد گر چرد
“One enters while another departs; for a fleeting moment one struts or grazes in this resting place.”
#9
چو برخیزد آواز طبل رحیل
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به خاک اندر آید سر مور وپیل
“When the call of departure sounded, the head of both ant and elephant descended into the dust.”
#10
ز پرویز چون داستانی شگفت
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ز من بشنوی یاد باید گرفت
“Hear from me a wondrous tale of Parviz, and keep it well in your memory.”
#11
که چندی سزاواری دستگاه
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بزرگی و اورنگ و فر و سپاه
“Of how great a worthy kingdom, grandeur, throne, royal glory, and host he possessed.”
#12
کزان بیشتر نشنوی در جهان
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اگر چند پرسی ز دانا مهان
“Such that you will hear no greater in this world, though you ask the wisest of the elders.”
#13
ز توران وز هند وز چین و روم
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ز هرکشوری کان بد آباد بوم
“From Turan, India, China, and Rome—from every kingdom that was a prosperous land—”
#14
همی باژ بردند نزدیک شاه
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به رخشنده روز و شبان سیاه
“They continuously brought tribute to the King, by radiant day and by black night.”
#15
غلام و پرستنده از هر دری
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ز در و ز یاقوت و هر گوهری
“Slaves and maidens from every gate, with pearls, rubies, and every precious gem,”
#16
ز دینار و گنجش کرانه نبود
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چنو خسرو اندر زمانه نبود
“Of gold and treasures there was no bound; no monarch like Khosrow ever lived in his era.”
#17
ز شاهین وز باز و پران عقاب
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ز شیر و پلنگ و نهنگ اندر آب
“From falcon, hawk, and soaring eagle, to lion, leopard, and leviathan in the water—”
#18
همه برگزیدند پیمان اوی
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چو خورشید روشن بدی جان اوی
“All chose to honor his covenant, for his soul was bright as the radiant sun.”
#19
نخستین که بنهاد گنج عروس
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ز چین و ز برطاس وز روم و روس
“First of all he established the Treasure of the Bride, gathered from China, Bartas, Rome, and Rus.”
#20
دگر گنج پر در خوشاب بود
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که بالاش یک تیر پرتاب بود
“Another was the treasure filled with lustrous pearls, whose height reached an arrow's flight.”
#21
که خضرا نهادند نامش ردان
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همان تازیان نامور بخردان
“Which the nobles named Khazra, as did the renowned and wise Arab scholars.”
#22
دگر گنج باد آورش خواندند
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شمارش بکردند و در ماندند
“Another treasure was called Bad-Avar; when they attempted to count it, they were utterly bewildered.”
#23
دگر آنک نامش همی‌بشنوی
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تو گویی همه دیبهٔ خسروی
“Another of which you hear the name, you would say it was all royal brocade.”
#24
دگر نامور گنج افراسیاب
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که کس را نبودی به خشکی و آب
“Another was the renowned Treasure of Afrasiab, the like of which none possessed on land or sea.”
#25
دگر گنج کش خواندی سوخته
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کزان گنج بد کشور افروخته
“Another treasure was called Sukhteh, by which the whole realm was illuminated and enriched.”
#26
دگر آنک بد شادورد بزرگ
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که گویند رامشگران سترگ
“Another was the Great Shadvard carpet, of which great minstrels sing in praise.”
#27
به زر سرخ گوهر برو بافته
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به زر اندرون رشته‌ها تافته
“Woven with red gold and studded with jewels, its threads twisted with golden strands.”
#28
ز رامشگران سرکش و باربد
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که هرگز نگشتی به آواز بد
“Among the master minstrels were Sarkash and Barbad, whose melodies were never tainted by evil notes.”
#29
به مشکوی زرین ده و دوهزار
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کنیزک به کردار خرم بهار
“In the golden harem were twelve thousand maidens, lovely as the verdant spring.”
#30
دگر پیل بد دو هزار و دویست
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که گفتی ازان بر زمین جای نیست
“Further, there were two thousand two hundred elephants, such that you would say there was no room left on earth.”
#31
فغستان چینی و پیل و سپاه
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که بر زین زرین بدی سال و ماه
“Chinese pavilions, elephants, and armies, with golden saddles adorned year in and year out.”
#32
دگر اسب جنگی ده و شش هزار
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دو صد بارگی کان نبد در شمار
“Also sixteen thousand war horses, and two hundred chargers beyond all count.”
#33
ده و دو هزار اشتر بارکش
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عماری کش وگام زن شست وشش
“Twelve thousand pack camels, laden with litters and sixty-six swift pacers.”
#34
که هرگز کس اندر جهان آن ندید
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نه از پیر سر کاردانان شنید
“Such abundance as no one in the world ever saw, nor heard of from wise and experienced elders.”
#35
چنویی به دست یکی پیشکار
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تبه شد تو تیمار و تنگی مدار
“Yet one like him perished at the hands of a mere servant; therefore, hold not your heart in grief or hardship.”
#36
تو بی رنجی از کارها برگزین
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چو خواهی که یابی بداد آفرین
“Choose freedom from grief in your actions, if you wish to receive praise for justice.”
#37
که نیک و بد اندر جهان بگذرد
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زمانه دم ما همی‌بشمرد
“For good and evil in this world shall pass, while time counts our fleeting breaths.”
#38
اگر تخت یابی اگر تاج و گنج
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وگر چند پوینده باشی به رنج
“Though you attain throne, crown, and treasure, or though you strive endlessly in toil,”
#39
سرانجام جای تو خاکست و خشت
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جز از تخم نیکی نبایدت کشت
“In the end your abode is dust and brick; you ought to sow no seed save that of virtue.”